KLLB (AM-150) is the latest Wasatch Front radio station to switch formats. This sunrise to sunset, 10,000-watt station changed to a "Black Gospel and Christian Music" format from a "Heart and Soul" format earlier this week.
According to Darrell Cosby, one of the station's managers, KLLB is unique in the state."We're making history," Cosby said. "There's a need for a black Christian station in Utah."
Cosby said that although the new format is playing mostly black gospel music, it is also playing some regular Christian music as well.
He said the station is a new music alternative for all Christians to enjoy. Cosby also explained that while there are black gospel radio stations in other states, KLLB is unique because of its mixture that will appeal to both black and non-black audiences.
Some of the artists KLLB is playing include James Cleveland, Walter Hawkins, Tim Miner, Helen Baylor and John Gibson.
KLLB reaches from Ogden to Provo and has its studio in Murray.
The station is also helping host the Black Gospel Workshop, planned for Aug. 10-16 in the Salt Palace with more than 15,000 participants.
In a related event, The Thurston Frazier Memorial Chorale will be the guest artists Sunday, Aug. 11 during the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's "Music and the Spoken Word" radio-TV program on KSL radio/TV.
- ON TV TOO - Mark Van Wagoner, morning personality on KMGR ("Magic 107.5 FM), will be a TV star next month when his new "Mark in the Morning at Midday" show premiers on KXIV, Ch. 14.
Van Wagoner said the show as a totally local program that has no chance of syndication. He said it will provide consumer information and also community events. He said it'll be more like the old Jackie Nokes TV programs than anything else.
The show's title keys on the "Mark in the Morning" slogan, which has become the most widely recognizable title for Van Wagoner, a 19-year radio veteran.
The 30-minute weekday talk show will air at 1 p.m. beginning Sept. 2.
- KCPX (FM-98.7) and sister station KUTR (AM-1320) are sponsoring a safety program for Wasatch Front Children through Sept. 14. The "Kids I.D. Program" provides parents with an opportunity to have their children fingerprinted and also to be educated about safety.
"Our intent is to teach children the importance of safety and to give to parents more peace of mind," said Ernie Kovacs, manager for both stations. "Our hope is to I.D. as many children along the Wasatch Front as we possibly can."
"Officer Friendly" from the Salt Lake City Police Department and "Ed the Talking Sheriff's Car" from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department will both be on hand.
The schedule is: Aug. 10: The Brass Warehouse, 1140 Brickyard Road; Aug. 17: Pay 'n' Pak, 3902 S. State; Aug. 23: Mini-World, 7343 S. 900 East; Aug. 24: 49th Street Gal-leria, 4998 S. 360 West; Aug. 31: Ernst, 1198 E. Brickyard Road; Sept. 2: Granite Furniture, 1050 E. 2100 South; Norton's Foodtown, 1405 N. State, Provo.
The events held on weekdays will take place from noon until 2 p.m., while Saturday's event times will be from noon until 3 p.m.
- KUTR (AM-1320) presented a check for $5,000 to the "Make-a-Wish" Foundation in funds raised during a local charity concert.
Chris Sharer, director of the Salt Lake Make-a-Wish organization said that they pay 100 percent of the cost of fulfilling the wishes of terminally ill children. The latest funds earned to go to pay for two wishes, since most average about $2,500 each. Many children wish for Disneyland or for relatives that they haven't seen for a long time to be flown in.
KUTR program director Mike Carver spearheared the latest fund raising drive and he plans on staging another similar event in the spring of 1992. All of the artists who played at the benefit concert are local stars and all can be heard on the station.
- KISN (FM-97.9/AM-570) - The station will stage a "lips on the car" contest Saturday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m. at Cline's Mazda, 4526 S. State. KISN is now qualifying 70 listeners for the endurance contest which will award a $20,000 convertible to the one who can keep his or her lips on the car the longest.
- KKDS (AM-1060, alias "The Imagination Station," has announced a new weekday lineup as follows:
6-10 a.m. - "Great Scott" with New Day Highway.
10 a.m. until 2 p.m. - "Frantastik" with Dragon Wagon.
2-6 p.m. - "Way Kool Keri" with Curbside Carnival.
6-10 p.m. - "Air-Man Aaron" with Cool Kids Carivan.
10 p.m. until midnight - Marathon Moonbeam Magic.
- Radical Raymond and Great Scott are the weekend personalities.
KKDS is also no longer satellite-programmed. Kids and parents can call 570-1060 to speak directly to on-air personalities.
The station is also continuing "Picnics in the Park" activities during August.
- KBZN (FDM-97.9) - The Sunday, Aug. 11 guest on "Musical Starstreams (8-10 a.m.) will be Angelo Badalamenti and the album "Twin Peaks." Later in the day, "Jazz Trax," (7 p.m.) will feature Kevyn Lettau, with "Down to the Moon," by Andreas Vollenveider in the "Archives Album" segment of the show.
Here's next week's schedule for the station's "7 o'clock CD" program:
Monday, Aug. 12: "Back on the Case," by Acoustic Alchemy.
Tuesday, Aug. 13: "Touch," by Michael Dowdle.
Wednesday, Aug. 14: "Silhouette," by Kenny G.
Thursday, Aug. 15: "Collection," by Lee Ritenour.
Friday, Aug. 16: "Time Will Tell," by Fatburger.
- KSL (AM-1160) - Here are upcoming station programming highlights:
Saturday, Aug. 10:
7-10 a.m. - How to control green caterpillars, on "The KSL Greenhouse" show.
10 a.m. - Carl Mason from Tunex tells how to diagnose and fix car problems.
11 a.m. - "Your House" will explain how to find out what's wrong with electronics around your house, how to fix them and the costs involved.
Sunday, Aug. 23:
10 a.m. - Unusual vacation ideas on "Getaway" travel show.
11 a.m. - Find out how healthy "lite" or "low fat" foods really are.
Monday, Aug. 12:
10 a.m. - Self-esteem of young girls is the subject matter on "Family Forum."
10:30 a.m. - Author Steven R. Covey will be in the studio to discuss the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People."
11 a.m. - How to study correctly.
11:30 a.m. - Renter vs. landlord rights.
Tuesday, Aug. 13:
10 a.m. - Healthy cooking ideas from chef Robert Jennings.
11 a.m. - What are the consequences of bear baiting?
Wednesday, Aug. 14:
11 a.m. - Find out what your children are learning in school.
2:30 p.m. - Bob Lee explores the prevention and causes of traumatic brain injury.
Friday, Aug. 15:
2:30 p.m. - Will Elvis talk to Lee on the 14th anniversary of his death? Listen to find out.